Beverage dispenser

ABSTRACT

A beverage dispenser for selectively or concurrently dispensing syrup and carbonated water therefrom. The discharge of such fluids from the dispenser is controlled by a pair of solenoid operated valves respectively associated with switches actuated by levers that depend from the dispenser adjacent the discharge nozzle thereof. The dispenser includes a body structure supporting the various functional components of the dispenser, and a resilient cover slidably related to the body structure is readily removable therefrom to provide access to such switch devices, valve parts, and the solenoid controls for the valves. The dispenser further includes a face piece cooperative with the cover in enclosing such functional components, and the face piece is snap-connected with the body structure so as to be easily removed therefrom in providing access to the functional components of the dispenser.

United States Patent Assistant ExaminerFrederick R. HandrenAttorneyGardner and Zimmerman ABSTRACT: A beverage dispenser forselectively or concurrently dispensing syrup and carbonated watertherefrom. The discharge of such fluids from the dispenser is controlledby a pair of solenoid operated valves respectively associated withswitches actuated by levers that depend from the dispenser adjacent thedischarge nozzle thereof. The dispenser includes a body structuresupporting the various functional components of the dispenser, and aresilient cover slidably related to the body structure is readilyremovable therefrom to provide access to such switch devices, valveparts, and the solenoid controls for the valves. The dispenser furtherincludes a face piece cooperative with the cover in enclosing suchfunctional components, and the face piece is snap-connected with thebody structure so as to be easily removed therefrom in providing accessto the functional components of the dispenser.

PATENTEDHAYZSIQYI $5 0,425

I N V IZNTOR.

Al FORNL'YIB Heiko T. deMan BEVERAGE DISPENSER DISCLOSURE This inventionrelates to a dispenser for portable liquids and, more particularly, to arelatively small, electrically controlled beverage dispenser adapted todischarge either selectively or concurrently a flavoring syrup andcarbonated water.

Beverage dispensers of the type in which the present invention residesare relatively small devices and are electrically controlled, having aseparate solenoid operated valve and switch therefor controlling theflow of each fluid discharged from the dispenser. Ordinarily, each suchdispenser supplies one syrup or flavoring and carbonated water and,therefor, a plurality of dispensers are required in order to provide theselection of beverages necessary to satisfy customer tastes and demand.As a result, the required number of dispensers are arranged in bankseach comprising a plurality of dispensers disposed side-by-sideproximity and bolted or otherwise fixedly but removably secured to asupport plate therefor. In the past, when repair of any one dispenserhas been required it has often necessitated removal of the entiredispenser from such support plate, which removal is an inconveniencefrequently preventing use of the adjacent dispensers in the bankthereof.

In view of this, a primary object of the present invention is to providean improved dispenser of the general type discussed affording quick andeasy access to the functional components thereof most frequentlyrequiring repair or other maintenance, and which access is affordedwithout the requirement for removal of the entire dispenser from thesupport plate therefor and without disturbing adjacent dispensers orinterfering in their operation. Additional objects and advantages of theinvention, especially as concerns particular features andcharacteristics thereof, will become apparent as the specificationdevelops.

In effecting the various objects and advantages of the invention, thedispenser provides a body structure equipped with a depending nozzlethrough which the syrup and carbonated water are discharged. Alsodepending from the body structure are a pair of levers respectivelycontrolling the discharge of such fluids, and the levers actuateelectrical switches in circuit connection with the solenoid controls forthe valves which regulate and determine the flow of the fluids from asource of supply therefor to the discharge nozzle. The solenoids,switches, and electrical connections are located within a compartmentdefined by the body structure and a cover and face piece bothcooperative therewith and removable therefrom without the necessity fortools to provide access to such compartment and the components locatedtherewithin. If necessary, such components are readily removable fromthe body structure for replacement or repair.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view of a bank of beverage dispensersembodying the invention, certain components of one such dispenser beingshown in exploded, spaced apart relationship;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially through thecenter of one of the beverage dispensers;

FIG. 3 is a broken vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a broken rear view in elevation taken generally along the line4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a broken longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 5-5of FIG. 4.

Beverage dispensers embodying the present invention are adapted to beused in groups or banks thereof at a soda fountain or other location atwhich a variety of beverages are made available for sale to the publicbecause each such dispenser is ordinarily intended to provide fordischarge therefrom a single beverage comprising a syrup or flavoringand carbonated water or admixture therewith. It will be evident, thenthat a dispenser must be provided for each different beverage availablefor sale. In FIG. 1, three beverage dispensers are illustrated and theyare identical in construction and function. For positive identification,such dispensers are respectively denoted with the numerals 10, 10a and10b.

Each of the dispensers 10 is secured by cap screws (not shown) to asupport plate 11 which is vertically disposed and is equipped at thebottom thereof with a horizontal drainage plate 12 that underlies thedispensers l0 and is adapted to be connected to waste so as to carrythereto any spillage or overflow from the dispensers. The support plate11 and drainage plate 12 are standard arrangements well known in the artand require no further discussion.

Considering the beverage dispenser 10 in detail, it comprises a bodystructure 13 which may be formed of any suitable material but in theusual instance will be molded plastic such as clear polycarbonate whichis effective to resist corrosion from contact with the citric acids andother ingredients from which the various syrups are made. The bodystructure 13 is provided with a pair of flow passages 14 and 15 thereinenlarged at the rear end of the body structures 13 as respectively shownat 16 and 17 in FIG. 4. The enlarged ends 16 and 17 of the passagesdefine the infeed ends thereto and are adapted to be respectivelyconnected to a source of carbonated water and to a source of syrup as bymeans of standard harpoon-type connectors which are simply pushed intothe enlarged openings through apertures provided for this purpose in thesupport plate 11.

The passage 14, as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 5, is provided therealongadjacent the enlargement 16 thereof with a metering valve 18 which isthreaded into an opening 19 provided therefor in the body structure 13.It will be apparent that the effective cross-sectional area of thepassage 14 is determined by adjustment of the metering valve 18 whichordinarily projects slightly into the passage. The metering valve 18 islocated intermediate the enlarged infeed end 16 of the water passage 14and a solenoid operated control valve disposed therealong and generallydenoted with the numeral 20.

The valve assembly 20 is conventional and operates to prevent the flowof liquid through the passage 14 until the solenoid is energizedwhereupon liquid is permitted to flow through such passage at the ratepermitted by the metering valve 18. In this respect, the passage 14enters the valve assembly 20 via a valve or plunger housing 21 along oneside thereof and continues through such housing and from the bottomthereof in a generally vertical segment 22 which enters a longitudinalextension 23 terminating at the discharge end thereof in a diffuser 24having a passage 25 therethrough that opens into the central chamber 26of a discharge nozzle 27. As shown in FIG. 2, the diffuser 24 isremovably secured to the body structure 13 by one or more cap screws 28and is sealingly related to the body by an O-ring 29. The diffuser 24threadedly carries the nozzle 27 as shown. Thus, in use of thedispenser, when the solenoid controlled valve 20 is energized, liquidflows from the enlarged end 16 of the passage 14 past the metering valve18 and valve assembly 20 into the passage segments 22 and 23 and finallythrough the passage 25 into the nozzle chamber 26 for dischargetherefrom into a suitable receptacle therebeneath.

The valve assembly 20 includes a locking plate 30 provided with aplurality of angularly spaced openings therethrough which receivecountersunk screws 31 to fixedly secure the plate to the body structure13, as shown in FIG. 1. The locking plate 30 is equipped with aplurality (three) of upwardly extending ears 32 each of which defines anangularly extending slot 33 adapted to receive therewithin one of aplurality (three) of angularly spaced tongues or lugs 34 provided by acap 35. The cap 35 is removably secured to the locking plate 30 byangularly displacing the cap relative to the plate to respectivelyinsert the tongues 34 into the slots 33. Release of the cap is effectedby displacing it in the opposite direction, and when the tongues arefreed from the slots 33, the cap 35 can be lifted from the plate 30.

The plate 30 and cap 35 define a solenoid chamber in which a solenoid 36is removably mounted. The solenoid as in the usual case, constitutesmultiple turns of a thin wire conductor mounted upon a spool or supporthaving an opening 37 through the center thereof that is adapted totelescopically receive the upper end of the valve housing 21 therein. Avalve plunger (not shown) vertically reciprocable within the housing 21is spring-biased downwardly against a valve seat and into its closedposition in which no liquid can flow through the passage 14 and into thepassage section 22, and such downward biasing force is imparted theretoprimarily by the hydraulic force of the liquid in passage 14 and by abacking plate 38 and spring (not shown). It may be observed that thehousing 21 has a laterally extending flange underlying the locking plate30 and is held thereby in proper position with respect to the bodystructure 13. An O-ring 39 sealingly relates the housing to the bodystructure within the opening provided therefor.

The solenoid controlled valve 20 is energized through a switch device 40which may be a conventional microswitch or other small on-off switchelectrically connected with the solenoid 36 by conductors 41. The switch40 is actuated by an elongated lever 42that extends downwardly from thebody structure 13, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is adapted to bedisplaced rearwardly by a glass or other receptacle placed beneath thenozzle 27 to receive the liquid discharged therefrom. It might beobserved at this point that an identical solenoid switch device andlever therefor are associated with the syrup passage 15, and in view ofthe structural and functional correspondence of these devices thoseassociated with the syrup passage are respectively denoted with theprimed form of the same numerals used to identify the componentsassociated with the water passage 14.

Accordingly, and referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the lever42' is pivotally supported intermediate the ends thereof on' a pin 43provided by the body structure 13, and such lever 42' is resilientlybiased in a substantial vertical orientation by a leaf spring 44'forming a part of the switch 40. Therefore, when a beverage glass isplaced beneath the nozzle 27 it can be used to displace one or the otheror both of the levers 42 and 42 rearwardly against the biasing force ofthe respectively associated leaf springs to actuate the switch devices40 and 40 thereof and energize the respectively associated solenoidcontrolled valves and 20.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the switch devices are readilypositioned upon or removed from the body structure 13 by means of a pairof spaced apart pins 45 and 45' (considering the switch 40')respectively receivable within openings or bores 47 and 48' formed inthe switch 40'. The body structure 13 is provided along each sidethereof with a recess or inset area, 49 and 49', which seats therespectively associated switch device and levers 40, 42 and 40', 42'therein. Accordingly, the switch devices are conveniently removable forrepair or replacement whenever this is necessary. Respectingremovability, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the caps 35 and 35 of thesolenoid valves 20 and 20' are locked in place and grounded by a strap50 which is mechanically and electrically connected to the cap by screws51 and 51' and is released by loosening these screws.

Respecting the passage 15, it is provided with a metering valve 18'therealong, and such passage enters the housing 21 of the valve assembly20 through a lateral opening 52 therein, as shown in FIG. 2. Liquidentering the housing 21 flows downwardly therethrough, when permitted bythe position of the associated valve plunger (not shown), into thecentral opening 53 in the aforementioned diffuser 24 and into a diffusercomponent 55 held in position by the aforementioned cap screws 28. Theopenings 53 and 54 are serially related and communicate with the centralopening 26 in the diffuser 27, through angularly spaced openings 54through the sidewall of diffuser component 55. The solenoid controlledvalve 20' is energized through the switch 40' and lever 42 associatedtherewith, and the lever can be manipulated by a glass or otherreceptacle positioned beneath the nozzle 27.

The dispenser 10 is provided at the forward end thereof with a light 56removably carried. by a mounting block 57 screwed or otherwise securedto the body structure 13. The light 56 illuminates the front of the.dispenser and any indicia provided along the face 58 of a face piece 59forming the forward wall of the dispenser 10, as shown in FIG. 1. Theface piece 59 is removably secured to the body structure 13 by a tongueand groove type fastener provided along each side of the face piece.Such fasteners are illustrated in FIG. 1, and each is seen to comprise apair of spaced apart prongs 60 and 61 that may be formed integrally withthe face piece and define a somewhat arcuate receptacle or opening 62therebetween which is adapted to releasably seat therein a pin or tongue63 extending outward from the body structure 13 within the recess 49 (or49) provided therealong. The prongs 60 and 61 are sufficiently resilientso as to spread and permit the pin 63 to pass therebetween and into thereceptacle 62 whereupon the prong snugly grips the pin. However, whenthe face piece is grasped and sufficient force applied thereto in adirection away from the body structure 13 the prongs again spread andpermit the pin 63 to pass therebetween to release the face piece fromthe body structure.

The dispenser 10 further comprises a cover or shroud 64 which has aninverted generally U-shaped configuration and is somewhat resilient soas to impart an inwardly directed force to the depending sidewalls 65and 66 thereof. In this respect, the cover 64 may be formed of stainlesssteel, and for esthetic purposes and to strengthen the same, thesidewalls 65 and 66 are respectively provided therealong withlongitudinally extending inwardly deformed ribs 67 and 68. At theirlower edges, the walls 65 and 66 are respectively equipped with inwardlyturned lips 69 and 70 adapted to slidably underlie the respectivelyassociated planar edge portions 71 and 72 provided by the body structure13 along the bottom thereof.

In use of the beverage dispensers 10, one or more thereof are secured toa support plate 11 by cap screws extending therethrough and intoopenings 73 (FIG. 4) provided along the rear wall of the body structure13. Carbonated water and syrup are connected to the passages 14 and 15,and suitable electrical connections are made to each dispenser to apower cord 74 that also extends through an opening provided for thispurpose in the plate 11. Such a power cord is usually a 3-wire cableincluding a ground wire and the opposite sides .of the power circuit forthe solenoids and light. The particular beverage supplied by anydispenser is discharged from the nozzle 27 upon placing a glass beneathand displacing one or the other or both of the levers 42 and 42' topermit the flow of syrup and carbonated water into the nozzle chamber26, all as is standard and well known.

Should it be required to repair or otherwise service the dispenser,access to the working components thereof is quickly gained by removingthe face piece 59 from the body structure 13 which face piece snapsfreely from the pins 63 provided by the body structure upon applicationof a force of sufficient magnitude to the face piece. Upon removal ofthe face piece 59, the cover 64 is simply slid forwardly to withdraw itfrom the body structure 13, whereupon the compartment otherwise definedby the body structure, cover and face piece is open and access to thesolenoid controlled valves 20 and 20' and to the switches 40 and 40 isafforded. The switches 40 and 40' can be removed from the body structure13 simply by gripping the same and pulling them in a transversedirection to remove the pins 45 and 46 from the openings 47 and 48 inthe switch device. The solenoids are made available by loosening thescrews 51 and 51' to remove the ground strap 50 whereupon the caps 35and 35 can be removed by rotation of the same a short angular distanceto separate the tongues 34 from the slots 33.

When the caps 35 and 35' have been removed, the solenoids 36 and 36' canbe lifted upwardly from the housing 21 and 21; and should the valveplungers need to be removed for cleaning, they are simply withdrawnupwardly through the housings 21 and 21'. The electric light 56 can bereplaced without removing the cover 64 since access is provided theretoupon removal of the face piece 59. The dispenser is reassembled afterthe solenoid controlled valves and switch devices are in place simply bysliding the cover 64 into position along the body structure 13 and thensnapping the face plate 59 into place. As shown in FIG. 1, when thecover 64 is in place it telescopically receives the rear wall of thebody structure 13 therewithin and it similarly telescopically receivesthe side and top wall segments 75 of the face piece 59 therewithin.

Thus, when assembled, a streamlined, integrated and integrally appearingunit is provided and access to the working components thereof is readilyobtained by removing the face piece 59 and cover 64. Clearly, access tothe working components of any one of the beverage dispensers in a bankthereof is attained in the manner described without disturbing orinterfering with continued use of the adjacent dispensers.

While in the foregoing specification an embodiment of the invention hasbeen described in considerable detail for purposes of making a completedisclosure thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatnumerous changes may be made in such details without departing from thespirit and principles of the invention.

lclaim:

l. A beverage dispenser having a downwardly opening nozzle through whichfluids are selectively discharged into a receptacle held therebelow,comprising a body structure to which said nozzle is attached, a coverremovably secured to said body structure and defining a compartmenttherewith along the upper side thereof, said cover comprising aninverted generally U-shaped component slidably and resiliently grippingsaid body structure, a face piece removably secured to said bodystructure along the forward end thereof and cooperative with said coverin the formation of said compartment, said body structure being providedwith a plurality of flow conduits leading to said nozzle and adapted tobe respectively connected to supplies of such fluids, and solenoidcontrolled valve assemblies and switch devices therefor respectivelyassociated with said flow conduits to control the flow of fluidstherethrough and being located within said compartment, whereby removalof said face piece and cover provides access to said valve assembliesand switch devices without removing said body structure from a supporttherefor.

2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 in which said body structure hasgenerally planar edge portions along the bottom thereof, and in whichsaid cover has inwardly turned lips slidably engageable with said edgeportions.

3. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 and comprising an upwardlyextending support plate and a plurality of the aforesaid beveragedispensers each provided with a body structure secured along the rearend thereof to said support plate, said dispensers being disposed inrelatively close juxtaposition and aligned to form a bank thereof, thecover and face piece of any one of said dispensers being removabletherefrom without interfering with the others.

4. The beverage dispenser of claim 3 in which each of said bodystructures has generally planar edge portions along the bottom thereof,and in which each of said covers has inwardly turned lips slidablyengageable with the associated edge portions, each of said face piecesbeing provided with a plurality of snap fasteners and each bodystructure being provided with posts respectively associated with saidfasteners to releasably secure said face pieces to said body structures.

5. The beverage dispenser of claim 4 in which said solenoid controlledvalve assemblies and switch devices are removably attached to therespectively associated body structures to facilitate repair of each ofsaid beverage dispensers.

6. The beverage dispenser of claim 5 in which each of said switchdevices is provided with an aperture therethrough, and in which each ofsaid body structures is equipped with a plurality of pins respectivelyassociated with said switch devices and being receivable within theopenings therethrough to positively locate and mount the switch devicesalong the associated body structures.

7. A beverage dispenser having a downwardly opening nozzle through whichfluids are selectively discharged into a receptacle held therebelow,comprising a body structure to upper side thereof, a face pieceremovably secured to said body structure along the forward end thereofand cooperative with said cover in the formation of said compartment,said body structure being provided with a plurality of flow conduitsleading to said nozzle and adapted to be respectively connected tosupplies of such fluids, solenoid controlled valve assemblies and switchdevices therefor respectively associated with said flow conduits tocontrol the flow of fluids therethrough and being located within saidcompartment, whereby removal'of said face piece and cover providesaccess to said valve assemblies and switch devices without removing saidbody structure from a support therefor, each of said switch devicesbeing provided with an aperture therethrough, and said body structurebeing equipped with a plurality of pins respectively associated withsaid switch devices and being receivable within the opening therethroughto positively locate and mount the switch devices along said bodystructure.

8. The beverage dispenser of claim 7 in which said solenoid controlledvalve assemblies and switch devices are removably attached to said bodystructure to facilitate repair of said beverage dispenser.

9. The beverage dispenser of claim 8 in which each of said switchdevices is provided with an aperture therethrough and in which said bodystructure is equipped with a plurality of pins respectively associatedwith said switch devices and being receivable within the openingtherethrough to positively locate and mount the switch devices alongsaid body structure.

10. A beverage dispenser having a downwardly opening nozzle throughwhich fluids are selectively discharged into a receptacle heldtherebelow, comprising a body structure to which said nozzle isattached, a cover removably secured to said body structure and defininga compartment therewith along the upper side thereof, a face pieceremovably secured to said body structure along the forward end thereofand cooperative with said cover in the formation of said compartment,said face plate being provided with a plurality of snap fasteners andsaid body structure being provided with posts respectively associatedwith said fasteners to releasably secure said face piece to said bodystructure, said body structure being provided with a plurality of flowconduits leading to said nozzle and adapted to be respectively connectedto supplies of such fluids, and solenoid controlled valve assemblies andswitch devices therefor respectively associated with said flow conduitsto control the flow of fluids therethrough and being located within saidcompartment, whereby removal of said face piece and cover providesaccess to said valve assemblies and switch devices without removing saidbody structure from a support therefor.

1. A beverage dispenser having a downwardly opening nozzle through whichfluids are selectively discharged into a receptacle held therebelow,comprising a body structure to which said nozzle is attached, a coverremovably secured to said body sTructure and defining a compartmenttherewith along the upper side thereof, said cover comprising aninverted generally U-shaped component slidably and resiliently grippingsaid body structure, a face piece removably secured to said bodystructure along the forward end thereof and cooperative with said coverin the formation of said compartment, said body structure being providedwith a plurality of flow conduits leading to said nozzle and adapted tobe respectively connected to supplies of such fluids, and solenoidcontrolled valve assemblies and switch devices therefor respectivelyassociated with said flow conduits to control the flow of fluidstherethrough and being located within said compartment, whereby removalof said face piece and cover provides access to said valve assembliesand switch devices without removing said body structure from a supporttherefor.
 2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 in which said bodystructure has generally planar edge portions along the bottom thereof,and in which said cover has inwardly turned lips slidably engageablewith said edge portions.
 3. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 andcomprising an upwardly extending support plate and a plurality of theaforesaid beverage dispensers each provided with a body structuresecured along the rear end thereof to said support plate, saiddispensers being disposed in relatively close juxtaposition and alignedto form a bank thereof, the cover and face piece of any one of saiddispensers being removable therefrom without interfering with theothers.
 4. The beverage dispenser of claim 3 in which each of said bodystructures has generally planar edge portions along the bottom thereof,and in which each of said covers has inwardly turned lips slidablyengageable with the associated edge portions, each of said face piecesbeing provided with a plurality of snap fasteners and each bodystructure being provided with posts respectively associated with saidfasteners to releasably secure said face pieces to said body structures.5. The beverage dispenser of claim 4 in which said solenoid controlledvalve assemblies and switch devices are removably attached to therespectively associated body structures to facilitate repair of each ofsaid beverage dispensers.
 6. The beverage dispenser of claim 5 in whicheach of said switch devices is provided with an aperture therethrough,and in which each of said body structures is equipped with a pluralityof pins respectively associated with said switch devices and beingreceivable within the openings therethrough to positively locate andmount the switch devices along the associated body structures.
 7. Abeverage dispenser having a downwardly opening nozzle through whichfluids are selectively discharged into a receptacle held therebelow,comprising a body structure to upper side thereof, a face pieceremovably secured to said body structure along the forward end thereofand cooperative with said cover in the formation of said compartment,said body structure being provided with a plurality of flow conduitsleading to said nozzle and adapted to be respectively connected tosupplies of such fluids, solenoid controlled valve assemblies and switchdevices therefor respectively associated with said flow conduits tocontrol the flow of fluids therethrough and being located within saidcompartment, whereby removal of said face piece and cover providesaccess to said valve assemblies and switch devices without removing saidbody structure from a support therefor, each of said switch devicesbeing provided with an aperture therethrough, and said body structurebeing equipped with a plurality of pins respectively associated withsaid switch devices and being receivable within the opening therethroughto positively locate and mount the switch devices along said bodystructure.
 8. The beverage dispenser of claim 7 in which said solenoidcontrolled valve assemblies and switch devices are removably attached tosaid body structure to facilitate repair of sAid beverage dispenser. 9.The beverage dispenser of claim 8 in which each of said switch devicesis provided with an aperture therethrough and in which said bodystructure is equipped with a plurality of pins respectively associatedwith said switch devices and being receivable within the openingtherethrough to positively locate and mount the switch devices alongsaid body structure.
 10. A beverage dispenser having a downwardlyopening nozzle through which fluids are selectively discharged into areceptacle held therebelow, comprising a body structure to which saidnozzle is attached, a cover removably secured to said body structure anddefining a compartment therewith along the upper side thereof, a facepiece removably secured to said body structure along the forward endthereof and cooperative with said cover in the formation of saidcompartment, said face plate being provided with a plurality of snapfasteners and said body structure being provided with posts respectivelyassociated with said fasteners to releasably secure said face piece tosaid body structure, said body structure being provided with a pluralityof flow conduits leading to said nozzle and adapted to be respectivelyconnected to supplies of such fluids, and solenoid controlled valveassemblies and switch devices therefor respectively associated with saidflow conduits to control the flow of fluids therethrough and beinglocated within said compartment, whereby removal of said face piece andcover provides access to said valve assemblies and switch deviceswithout removing said body structure from a support therefor.